Oakland police layoffs mark the end of community policing

After decades as a privileged class of city workers who contributed nothing to their generous pensions and enjoyed higher salaries than officers in New York and Los Angeles, the Oakland Police Officer’s Association rejected the city’s offer of one-year job security and a tiered pension contribution plan.

The police department layoffs are believed to be the first in 30 years for Oakland, a city with the fourth highest violent crime rate in the country. This reduction in force leaves the department with 695 officers. Only 240 officers are currently assigned to respond to 911 calls and that number is not expected to change. The rest of the officers perform other duties, including community policing activities. As a result of the layoffs, Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts has had to eliminate all 63 “problem-solving” officers, those who work closely with community groups to prevent crime and address endemic community safety issues. These officers comprised the lion’s share of the law enforcement side of the community policing equation.

In negotiations, the OPOA insisted on three years of job security, instead of the one year offered by the city of Oakland. The city council faces higher projected deficits in the next two fiscal years than what the city faces now.

Wednesday morning, in an interview on KPFA radio, Oakland City Councilman Ignacio de la Fuente acknowledged that he took part in negotiations in prior years, which led to the plum, budget-busting, benefits agreement for the police officers’ union. “But now in hard economic times, where we have laid off librarians and other city workers, we need the union to give back.” He pointed out that other city workers already contribute 9% toward their pension.

Tuesday night’s breakdown in negotiations sets the stage for further layoffs. Based on the projected deficit numbers, 122 additional officers would be on the chopping block for 2011 if the union and the city cannot agree on cost cutting measures.

In a statement released last night, Council President Jane Brunner pointed to a ballot measure that would add a $360 per home parcel tax, to raise $50 million to rehire the laid-off officers. If put forth by the Oakland City Council, voters would decide on the new tax in November.

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